Hi! I've been out all morning plying the news-ocean in my news-dinghy, netting lots of news-fish and news-crabs for all you good news-readers. Today's roundup includes some very interesting reporting on Neil Gorsuch, a big potential problem for DUI convictions, the future of driverless cars in Colorado, the future of B-Cycle and more.
The judge and the billionaire:
Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has a "web of ties" to Phil Anschutz, as Julie Turkewitz and Charlie Savage report. Gorsuch is a frequent speaker at Anschutz retreats, bought property with top Anschutz associates and previously worked as an attorney representing Anschutz companies. Gorsuch has recused himself from judging Anschutz cases, though he may be "leaving the door open" to participate in similar cases before the Supreme Court, according to the Times. (NYT)
Driverless cars:
CDOT is getting behind a plan that would make it very simple for driverless cars to operate legally in Colorado, as Megan explains. (Denverite)
Public pot use is tricky:
The city has to figure out some technicalities before its businesses can welcome marijuana use. Possibilities includer mandatory signage, customer waivers or membership policies for the businesses, according to Adrian. (Denverite)
DUI convictions in doubt:
A technician who certified Colorado's DUI testing machines said that his signature was forged on numerous records in 2013, as Noelle Phillips reports. The technician reportedly said that people who were neither state employees nor properly trained were calibrating breath-testing machines and signing certification forms with his name. Those forms are used in court. The governor's legal counsel told the Post that no evidence of misconduct was found. (DP)
Injured coach back on the court:
Matt Kroupa was seriously injured in the Legacy High School bus crash that killed the driver at Denver International Airport last September. I was glad to see that he was back in school, with the kids calling his name in the halls as usual, as Anusha Roy reports. (9News)
Housing for veterans:
The state Department of Human Services has awarded a lease to Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which plans to build 60 residential units for homeless veterans near Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, as Quincy Snowdon reports. The Aurora Housing Authority says it will appeal the decision, reflecting some frustration in the city over the state's handling of the project. (Aurora Sentinel)
Republicans loudly oppose measure for transgender Coloradans:
Democrats in the Colorado House have once again approved a measure that would make it easier for transgender people to change their birth certificates. It happened over a "loud chorus of 'no's" from Republicans, as Joey Bunch reports, with one critic arguing that changing a gender demarcation would be like changing a birthday. Denver representatives spoke in favor of the change, saying that the change would give transgender people more privacy and could reduce suicide and harassment. The bill is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Senate. (Colorado Politics)
What's next for B-Cycle?
Not much new, apparently. The service is running a deficit and the city doesn't have any immediate plans to fund an expansion, as Nathaniel Minor reports. Councilman Jolon Clark says an expansion into lower-income, lower-density areas would have to follow a major investment in bike lanes and other infrastructure. (CPR)
Bread news:
Raleigh Street Bakery gets a rave review from Kelli Schermerhorn. I love bread AND Raleigh, so, here you go. (North Denver Tribune)
Mall news:
The owner of Fresh Healthy Café says revenue has dropped 40 percent since Cherry Creek Mall started requiring paid parking, as Monica Mendoza reports. Two of the mall's eatery operators say that they've been especially hard hit. The mall is sticking by its argument that things will even out. (DBJ)
How to run faster:
A study from the CU Boulder suggests ways that marathon runners could break the two-hour barrier. Among them: Run downhill, avoid headwinds and wear lighter shoes for a 3 percent improvement. (NYT)
